Clarkson University Professor Ying Zhang Receives Graham Faculty Research Award
Clarkson University Assistant Professor of Psychology Ying Zhang has been named the recipient of the John W. Graham, Jr. Faculty Research Award, recognizing outstanding scholarly achievement and research impact.
Zhang, who joined Clarkson in 2021, has quickly established herself as a leading researcher in developmental and health psychology. Her work focuses on children’s self-regulation, family dynamics, mental health and the effects of adversity, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary and data-driven approaches.
Since arriving at Clarkson, Zhang has published 22 peer-reviewed journal articles — 26 in total since earning her doctorate — with additional manuscripts currently under review. Her research frequently involves undergraduate collaborators, reflecting her strong commitment to student mentorship and experiential learning.
“Dr. Zhang’s research productivity and student mentoring ability are unmatched,” wrote Psychology Department Chair Lisa Legault in her nomination. “Her work is innovative, collaborative and positioned for continued national impact.”
Zhang has also delivered more than 30 conference presentations since joining Clarkson, many alongside undergraduate researchers, and has helped bring students to national and international academic conferences.
Her externally funded research includes a $100,000 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Head Start grant examining how early childhood program engagement influences emotional regulation and family outcomes. Her work leverages advanced statistical modeling and machine learning to better understand developmental pathways in children.
In addition to her research accomplishments, Zhang has secured multiple grants, contributed to interdisciplinary initiatives and played an active role in campus and professional service. She has served as an academic editor for PLOS ONE, a guest editor for Mindfulness, and a grant reviewer for federal agencies.
Associate Dean Tom Langen noted that Zhang’s rapid rise is especially impressive given Clarkson’s teaching-intensive environment. “She has an excellent publication record, a strong record for external research funding, and clearly is doing impactful work,” Langen wrote.
The John W. Graham, Jr. Faculty Research Award honors Clarkson faculty members who demonstrate promise in engineering, business, liberal arts or scientific research.
